You may think that it is safer to clean your ears with a Q-tip or cotton swab, but this is not true. Cleaning ears with a finger is a time-honored tradition. It is also safer, as a finger is too large to reach the eardrum, and nonaddictive.


Steps

1. Insert either your index or little finger into your ear canal a short way.
2. Using a downward motion, gently scrape the earwax out.
3. Repeat three or four times.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 in the other ear.
5. Dispose of the wax.
6. Wash your hands.

Tips

• Be gentle. Roughness or hurry can force earwax further into the ear canal and cause an impaction. A doctor may be needed to remove this.

Warnings

• Make sure your nails are trimmed before you attempt this.
• Do not put the finger you have used in contact with your tongue.
• Do this in private if possible.